Welcome back, Neba

Neba, the roast beef sandwich that inspired legions of devoted Capital Region fans decades ago, is back on the menu and already delighting diners, Bill Pompa, owner of the Mr. Subb restaurants announced today.

Pompa says he re-introduced the Neba early in November after testing some new techniques for making the signature sandwich, which features a toasted sesame seed bun and roast beef au jus.

More than 22 years ago, Pompa’s business was known as Neba-Mike’s, and he had six locations in Troy and Watervliet. When he decided to expand farther into Albany County, he changed the name to Mr. Subb to avoid confusion with Mike’s-Neba, which already was operating in the county, according to a news release about the sandwich re-introduction.

Later, Pompa decided to discontinue the Nebas and concentrate on submarine sandwiches because of the name change and other operational considerations.

Now, he says, this Neba is a bigger, better and more consistently prepared sandwich.

34 Responses

Just the other day I was with some old friends and the topic was sandwiches. We all said how we missed Neba’s,at Central and Colvan , now a quick lube joint. I know they will not get there corner back but is good to hear the Neba is back. Just hope it’s as good as I remember. What I do remember is how small it got over the tears till they took it off the menu. Now it’s up to them to make it the right way or the wrong way, I prefer the old right way, not the small way.

There is good in this world after all. The NEBA is what I grew up on and nothing, absolutely nothing compares to it. If you’ve never had one, loosen your beltbuckle and hold on to your tastebuds…. a little bit of the horseradish sauce and it’s off to a better place……

YEEEEE HA.
Back in the day Central & colvin was the PLACE to be and be seen great cars to. I can wait to get our 6 grandkids to try the sandwich. Thanks Bill YOUR THE MAN.
Try and build a new Mikes NEBA near the old location on central or better yet at the point , Central and Washington . Many fond memoriers

THE NEBA WAS THE NAME GERMAN SHEPARD OF “MIKE DAVIS ” THE REAL MIKE’S SUB GUY” IF MR POMPA WANTS THE CREDIT THATS NOT FAIR..
ASK MR POMPA ABOUT THAT ..THATS THE REAL NEBA STORY .. ANYWAY FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT KNEW THANK FOR A FEW LAUGHS..

I had my first “new” Neba at the Mr. Subb across from the old Neba at Central and Colvin. It was an impulse buy after stopping at the auto parts store. Good sandwich but not the same as I remember. Is anything ever the same in the sequel?

“Could someone please explain to me the difference between a Neba and Beef on Weck, the signature sandwich of the Buffalo area?”

That’s easy it’s Not made on a Kimmelweck roll, And it was Mike’s submarines and Neba roast beef The company was sold to Mr Pompa by the original owner I wonder if he’ll bring back the Black Cow to was it down ummmmmmmmmmm!

..32 years ago I made Neba’s at the Neba-Mikes on the corner of 112th street and 2nd ave in Lansingburg. Worked Friday and Saturday nights from 6:30pm to 4:30am, all for $2.10 per hour..the sights and sounds for a 16 year old kid from the country…I will go and sample the ’09 version of the neba…but it will be hard to compare…..

I tried the new Neba and agree with others… The new version is not as good as they were way back when. The big difference is the meat. The original Neba sandwich was made with REAL roast beef, sliced from a fresh roast right in front of you. The “meat” on the new sandwich? Hmmm, I’m not quite sure what that is.

I tried the “new” Neba last month when I saw the sign advertizing it. I could hardly wait to have a Neba again after all these years. Sorry to say I was really disappointed! Not the same at all.
Yes, It was Mike Davis who started the Neba.

I’ll try one, but I don’t have high hopes. There are only a relative handful of places in the region that use REAL roast beef – most use highly processed and/or flavored mass-market “deli” style meat product. It just isn’t edible if you like real roast beef.

I used to be a regular at Neba at Central and Colvin “in the day”. Lunch was Neba, Potato Nuggets, and a Black Cow. I tried the new Neba and thought it was okay; it did bring back memories of Central & Colvin. My wife, however, was not impressed. And our secretary had one recently, and she also was not impressed. I remember the big roast beef on the slicer, but I guess the origin of the meat now is in question. I would still probably try it again, though.

Good old memories, I must say. Gone are the days where people hung out with their cars etc.
Yes, back in the day, the roast beef was fresh. It’s probably processed roast beef now like the turkey and ham.

I recall my first real job being at Neba-Mikes, what fond memories!
Five of my friends and myself would stop at Nebas, each and everyday to get a delicious Neba with the infamous “horseradish” along with the potatoe nuggets. We all decided that we would all apply for employment and wouldn,t you know I was the only one that was hired. Thanks for “taking it back to the days” I am sure that the Neba will make a remarkable comeback and you youngsters give the Neba a try, I am sure that you will not have any complaints!!!!

There was a Mike’s-NEBA on the corner (point) where Henry Johnson, Washington and Central converge, where the new TRUSTCO just opened. We used to clip coupons from the Knickerbocker News to use there when high school track meets were taking place down at the Armory. This is 30 + years ago!

I tried the new Neba and liked it. It has a nice flavor, is large and the Tiger sauce gives it a slight kick. Tell the preparer to not add additional salt, though (one location did and another didn’t).

Granted, it’s fake beef, not like the awesome fresh roasted beef sandwiches at Maurice’s, but it has it’s place for anyone wanting to recapture the old taste.

I wish Mr. Subb would bring back the ‘original’ Mike’s subs too. The combination of very fresh, doughy rolls and oily dressing was distinctive — something I miss.

Come on Mr. Subb. I know the economy’s tough, but if you’re going to bring back a classic sandwich, you HAVE TO make it at least as good as it was back in the day. The new NEBA is nothing close to the original. It’s like a slap in the face to the fans…